Restaurant Operations and Management
Restaurant Operations and Management
Restaurant Operations and Management
Introduction
Restaurant operations are generally divided between what is commonly called front of the
house and back of the house. Effective restaurant management involves several challenges, such
as public relations, inventory, staff, and customer service. Managing a restaurant involves many
different responsibilities, from hiring and firing.
Restaurant operations, in the simplest terms, are various activities that are carried out in a
restaurant to run the business. These include all activities involved in the preparation of food,
customer service, cleaning, purchasing raw materials, accounting and reporting.
Restaurant
A restaurant is a retail establishment that serves prepared food to customers. Service is
generally for eating on premises, though the term has been used to include take-out
establishments and food delivery services.
Types of Restaurants
Restaurants often specialize in certain types of food or present a certain unifying, and
often entertaining theme.
Cafeterias
A cafeteria is a restaurant serving mostly cooked or ready to eat food arranged behind a food-
serving counter. There is little or no table service. Depending on the establishment, servings may
be ordered from attendants, selected as ready-made portions already on plates, or self-serve of
food of their own choice.
Fast-Food Restaurants
Fast-food restaurants emphasize speed of service and low cost over all other considerations.
Restaurant Personnel
Restaurant Manager
This person has overall responsibility for the restaurant and other food and beverage service
areas. The restaurant manager sets the standards for service and is responsible for any staff
training that may have to be carried out, on or off the job.
Captain Waiter
This person has overall charge of the service staff/ team. He is responsible for ensuring that all
the duties necessary for the pre-preparation for service are efficiently carried out and that nothing
is forgotten.
Waiter
The waiter must be able to carry out the same work as the station headwaiter and relieve him on
days off. Both the waiter and the station headwaiter must work together as a team, to provide
efficient and speedy service.
Trainee/Apprentice
The trainee is the 'learner', having just joined the food service staff, and possibly wishing to take
up food service as a career. The trainee carries out certain cleaning tasks during the pre-
preparation period. He may be given the responsibility of looking after and serving some
appetizers or smaller courses, from the appropriate trolleys.
Wine Waiter/Sommelier
The sommelier is responsible for the service of all alcoholic drinks, during the service of meals.
He must also be a sales person. This employee must have a good knowledge of all beverages
available.
Receptionist (Host/Hostess)
The role of a restaurant host is to attend to guest needs, particularly, on arrival at the restaurant.
The host should "meet, greet and seat" the guest. The host/ess should make sure that; guests
leaving the restaurant have enjoyed their meal.
Barman
This person must have good knowledge about the ingredients and methods needed to make
alcoholic drinks.
Preparation
it is important to be prepared and before taking the order, write these four essential items of
information on the Order Slip for control purposes: The four major component that you need to
record in OS are:
1. Table number
2. Number of covers
3. Date and time of order
4. Servers name/signature
Menus
The menu itself promotes the products of the restaurant. Use of pictures, photographs and
attractive descriptions can greatly encourage sales.
Special Events
•Coupons
•Premium gifts
•Gift certificates or voucher
Waste Management
Therefore, you need to follow good practices in the kitchen and in the restaurant area to
deal with it. If you handle waste properly, it would reduce the risk of cross-contamination, create
a safer environment, and reduce the cost of food.
Pest control
Good pest control needs good mechanism and systemic control. If you follow proper cleaning
and monitoring, it is completely possible to have 100 pest free working place.